Current AffairsCzech politicians react to results of Slovak presidential election

At the weekend, neighbouring Slovakia elected a new president, political
newcomer Andrej Kiska, who defeated Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico by 20
percent of the vote. Czech politicians, including Prime Minister Bohuslav
Sobotka, congratulated Mr Kiska, saying they looked forward to meeting with
the new head of state. As tradition dictates, Kiska’s first official
foreign visit trip will be to Prague.

Andrej Kiska, photo: CTK
Two years ago, Slovak businessman and philanthropist Andrej Kiska was
politically unknown: now he will be Slovakia’s next head-of-state. Mr
Kiska will succeed outgoing President Ivan Gašparovič on June 15th, after
he soundly defeated Robert Fico in the election run-off on the promise he
would serve as a counterweight to Slovakia’s one-party cabinet, he would
return trust to the office of the president and that he would act as a
voice of the people.

In the Czech Republic, the result is being seen as noteworthy, including
by Petr Fiala, the head of the opposition Civic Democrats.

“I think that the elections showed that voters wanted to elect a
counterweight to Prime Minister Robert Fico who was dominant on the Slovak
political scene.”

Czech politician Tomio Okamura, of the upstart Dawn party, called it an
example of how direct elections worked (in which an underdog could topple a
dominant politician) while Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said the
result confirmed the strength of Slovak democracy. Czech President Miloš
Zeman, who supported the second-place Mr Fico against the newcomer, issued
a statement through his spokesman, saying that he respected the results and
would be sending congratulations shortly.

Others, such as former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg,
suggested the election outcome in Slovakia showed that voters there wanted
something different from the status quo.

“People really are fed up with politics and politicians at this time.”

Robert Fico, photo: CTK
It is not expected that the Slovak president-elect will take any steps
which would change the course in Czech-Slovak relations, fostered both by
Mr Fico and Mr Gašparovič until now – broadly recognised as excellent.
Indeed, if anything, Mr Kiska will strive early to reinforce strong ties,
already confirming that his first official abroad will be to the Czech
Republic, as dictated by a tradition formed over the last 20 years. Mr
Kiska told public broadcaster Czech TV he was looking forward to meeting
with his Czech counterpart; he shrugged off the suggestion Mr Zeman’s
support for his rival, Robert Fico (a natural politically ally) could
present a problem. He replied ‘Definitely not’ and said he was looking
forward to Prague.